Penmen Booster Club

Since 1979, the Penmen Club - the official booster organization for SNHU Athletics - has been helping to provide student-athletes with world-class athletic opportunities and rigorous academic experiences.

The information below is provided to people who meet the NCAA definition of a “Representative of Athletics Interest,” more commonly known as a “Booster.” NCAA rules require annual education of Boosters regarding key pieces of NCAA legislation so please take a moment to read through this information.

How did I become a “Booster?”

A "representative of the institution's athletics interests," also known as a booster, is an individual who:

Has made financial contributions to the athletics department or to an athletics booster group of that institution;

Has purchased season tickets to any of the institution’s athletic teams;

Has participated in an organization, including corporate entities, promoting the institution's intercollegiate athletics program;

Has been involved otherwise in promoting the institution's athletics program.

Is an alumnus of the institution.

Once an individual is identified as a “representative of the institution’s athletics interests,” the person retains that identity forever.

Who is a prospective student-athlete?

Any person who has begun classes for the ninth grade is a prospective student-athlete. However, it is possible for younger students to be a prospect, so it is prudent to treat ALL athletes as prospects.

Students are still considered prospects even if they have signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) or any other financial aid agreement with a university. A student remains a prospect until he or she enrolls full time at a college or university.

Boosters may from time to time assist the coaching staff by notifying them of any student that would be a strong addition to the program. The coach can then make appropriate contact with the prospect.

What can a Booster do?

Provide employment for prospective or currently enrolled student-athletes during permissible periods. All compensation paid to a student-athlete must be for work actually performed and given at a rate equal to the going rate for a similar job in the local area.

Attend games where prospects are competing, as long as no contact is made with the prospect or prospect's parents.

Invite a currently-enrolled SNHU student-athlete or an entire SNHU team for an occasional meal provided the meal is in the individual's home (as opposed to a restaurant). The meal may be catered. Arrangements for these activities must be made through the head coach in the sport and the Compliance Office BEFORE the activity takes place.

What is a Booster prohibited from doing?

Providing a prospective student-athlete, his/her parents, relative, friends, or coaches with any material or financial benefit.

Entertain or provide awards or gifts for a current student-athlete, or his/her family and friends.

Make in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts with a prospect or the prospect's relatives or legal guardian(s).

What is an extra benefit?

An extra benefit is any special arrangement by an institutional employee or a representative of the institution's athletics interests (booster) to provide a student-athlete or the student-athlete's relative or friend a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation. Specifically prohibited financial aid, benefits and arrangements include, but are not limited to, the following:

Employment arrangement for a prospect's relatives

Gifts of clothing, equipment, cash or similar items

Co-signing of loans or providing loans to a prospect's relatives or friends

Free or reduced-cost services, rentals or purchases of any type

Use of an institution's athletics equipment

If a violation occurs, it may jeopardize a student-athlete’s eligibility for intercollegiate competition, jeopardize a school’s membership status with the NCAA or cause a booster to lose access to all booster benefits.

Ask Before You Act!!

If you have any questions about contact with a prospective or enrolled student-athlete, please contact